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yesterday

Red Sox Name Caleb Durbin Opening Day Starter at Third Base

Manager Alex Cora is locking Durbin into one position to stabilize an infield that struggled defensively last season.

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - MARCH 7: Caleb Durbin #17 of the Boston Red Sox rounds second base during a spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on March 7, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
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Alex Cora and the Red Sox have a handful of roster decisions to make before camp breaks. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

Overview

  • Durbin told reporters Cora informed him he will stay at third and start on Opening Day, ending spring experimentation across the infield.
  • Acquired from the Brewers in a six‑player deal before camp, Durbin has impressed in Grapefruit League play with a .394 average and strong defensive reviews.
  • He finished third in last year’s NL Rookie of the Year voting and posted a .256/.334/.387 line with 11 home runs and 18 steals while grading well at third base (+5 DRS, six errors).
  • The decision fills the vacancy created when Alex Bregman departed in free agency to the Cubs.
  • Second base remains unsettled heading into the March 26 opener, with Marcelo Mayer viewed as the favorite and Isiah Kiner‑Falefa or Andruw Monasterio in the mix if plans change.